Sarasota Paradise and St. Pete FC Battle to 1-1 Draw in Playoff Push
Sarasota Paradise and St. Petersburg FC played to a hard-fought 1-1 draw Saturday night at Johnson Athletic Field, with both sides showcasing their playoff ambitions in a fiercely contested matchup.
The home crowd didn’t have to wait long for action, as Sarasota struck first in the 20th minute. Midfielder Owen Barnett slotted home the opener, giving Paradise an early edge and energizing the local support.
St. Pete weathered the early pressure and responded with discipline, maintaining shape and defending tightly before leveling the score just before halftime. The equalizer swung the momentum heading into the break.
The second half opened up into a fast-paced, end-to-end affair. Both teams created scoring chances as they searched for a go-ahead goal, but neither side could capitalize. Sarasota goalkeeper Jack Kilstrom stood tall, making several key saves — including a pair of diving stops — to preserve the draw.
Despite late surges from both clubs, the final whistle blew with the score still tied at one apiece.
The result adds more tension to an already tight division race. Sarasota, St. Pete, and Fort Lauderdale remain locked in a three-way battle for the top spot, which guarantees playoff qualification. The next highest-ranked team across the South Florida and South Central Divisions will earn a wildcard berth, making every match critical down the stretch.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, every point counts — and Saturday’s draw keeps both Sarasota and St. Pete firmly in the postseason conversation.
